Manifold-valve lock for automobiles.



J. H. DUGAN & M. N. SMITH. MANIFOLD VALVE LOOK FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 23. l9l4. 1,157,929. Patented Oct. 26, 1915.

I 2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

J I (9 J 14%| T q 3 30+ if? a? WITNEIEEEE INVENTEIRE rfafinlifluyan J.H. DUGAN & M. N. SMITH. MANIFOLD VALVE LOOK FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 23. 1914.

Patented Oct. 26, 1915.

2 SHEUS-SHEET 2. Flgu 3| 9 INVENTEJ E Jo nfi ayan Mltan M timid'provements UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN H. DUGAN AND MILTON N. SMITH, OI AKRON, OHIO, ASSIGNORS TO THEAKRON MOTOR LOOK GO., OFAKRON, OHIO, A CORPORATION.

MANIFOLD-VALVE LOOK FOR AUTOMOBILES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 26, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN H. DUGAN and MILTON N. SMITH, citizens of theUnited States, residin at Akron, in the county of Summit and tate ofOhio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inManifold-Valve Looks for Automobiles, of' which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to manifold valve locks for automobiles.

One object of the invention, is in a ready, practical and positivemanner, so to control the passage of the explosive mixture from thecarbureter to the manifold of an internal combustion engine as, thatunauthorized use of a machine can positively be prevented during theabsence of the owner and any attempt to gain control of the manifoldvalve as by rupturing or breaking certain parts of the controllermechanism, will only result in causing the explosive mixture to bevitiated by the admixture of air to such an extent as to be renderedpractically nonexplosive.

A further object is in a novel manner to control the operation of thesparking means from the manifoldvalve controlling mechanism, whereby thetwo will be simultaneously rendered active or inactive from a singlepoint of operation.

A further object is so to construct and arrange the various parts .ofthe valve and. spark controlling mechanisms, as to avoid the necessityof any extended change in the structural arrangement of-a machinealready in use for their adoption, thus to render it possible to equipany machine with the imat but a slight expense.

With the above and other objects in view as .will appear as the natureof the lnvention is better understood, the same consists, generallystated, in providing 1n the connection between the carbureter andmanifold a valve, and in further providing a lock that co-acts with abolt, the bolt being operatively connected with the valve. The arranement of the parts is such that when the b0 t is in locked position,passage of the explosive mixture from the carbureter to the manifoldwill practically be cut off, and further the sparking mechanism will bebroken. As a matter of further and specific improvement, itis designedthat the lock for holding the bolt in locked position shall be of apermu tation type, so that it will be practically impossible for any onein a short time to manipulate the combination and thus release the boltto permit free passage of the explosive mixture to the manifold.

Further and more specific details of construction will be hereinafterfully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, andin which like characters of reference indicate correspond ing partsz-Figure 1 is a view in side elevation, partly in section, with the hoodraised. Fig. is a top plan view, partly in section, showing parts of theengine and the controlling means for the manifold valve. Fig. 3 is anenlarged detail longitudinal sectional view of a portion of the valvecontrolling means. Fig. 4 is a front elevation exhibiting the face platethat carries the permutation lock and the bolt for locking the manifoldvalve in active or inactive position, the section being taken on theline 3-3, Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a view of the interior of the casing orcylinder containing the valve controlling mechanism, with the outer capor closure removed. Fig. 6 is a detail view, partly in section, of aportion of the means for controlling the valve that closes or openspassage between the carbureter and the manifold. Fig. 7 is alongitudinal sectional view taken through the lower portion of Fig. 6

but viewed at right angles thereto and on the line 7-7 thereof. Fig. 8is a detail view,

partly in section, of a slightly modified form.

of manifold valve.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates generally an ordinary internalcombustion engine, which may employ any desired number of cylinders, 2the manifold, and 3 the carbureter, the manifold being provided, asusual, with branches 4 and 5, of which the former lead to the frontcylinders and the latter to therear cylinders. These parts may be ofwell-known construction, and therefore need no further description.

Secured to the dash-board 6 is a cylinder or casing 7 comprising a bodyand two heads 8 and 9, these heads being preferably secured to thecylinder by a threaded connection. The head 8 is secured to a circularlate 10 arranged at the front of the dashboard by carriage bolts 11having preferably rounded heads, the shanks of the bolts near the headsbeing square to prevent turning, as shown in Fig. 4.

The cap 9 is held firmly against any tendency to work loose, as fromjars or vibrations incident to the passage of the machine over road-waysby a screw 12 which passes through the flange of the cap and into thewall of the cylinder, as clearly shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Thiscylinder or barrel contains the locking mechanism which controls theoperation of the manifold valve, and also the sparking mechanism. Thelocking mechanism embodies a bolt 13 that projects through alinedorifices in the plate 10, dash-board 6, and head 8, and engages at itsinner end in a socket 1% formed in a boss 15 carried by the inner wallof the cap 9, the socket being preferably tapered to correspond with thetapered inner end of the bolt in order to insure a positive engagementbetween the parts. The object of thus seating the inner end of the boltwithin the socket ll is to render it impossible to detach the cap 9,when the bolt is in locked position, even if the screw 12 he removed.

The bolt is provided in its upper side with a notch or seat 16 that isdesigned to be engaged by the latch 17 carried by a lock casing 18 whichis firmly secured to the inner face of the cap 8. Projecting from thelock casing 18 and extending through the cap 8, dash-board 6 and plate10, and some distance beyond the latter, is a barrel 19, in which isarranged the shank of the operating knob 20 of a permutation lock of anydesired character, and as such instrumentalities are well-known,detailed illustration of any particular form of lock is deemedunnecessary. \Vhen the valve of the manifold is in closed position, thebolt will occupy the position shown in Fig. 1, with the latch 17 seatedin the notch 16, so that retraction of the bolt, without first freeingthe lock, will be impossible.

Carried by the rear end of the bolt 13 is an eye 21, with which connectsone end of a coiled spring 22, theother end of which is firmly securedto the lock casing 18. Also secured to the eye is one end of a wirecable 23, the other end of which is secured to the outerend of a crankarm 24 carried by the like end of the spindle 25 of a alve, cut-ofi' orshutter 26, the latter being provided with a second spindle 27 thatworks within a seat formed in the wall of an opening 28 formed in aplate 29, the spindle 25 being also projected through an oppositelyalined orifice in the plate. This plate is disposed between the flanges30 and 31 of the manifold and carbureter respectively, and is heldfirmly assembled therewith by bolts 32 that pass through all three ofthe parts. Proecting from one side of the plate 29 is a block or lug 34,the outer side of which has secured to it a plate 35. This plate servesto cover a socket or recess 36 1n which is disposed the crank 24, andconnected with the crank in any suitable manner is a spring 37, thefunction of which is to cause the valve or shutter 26 automatically toclose the opening or passageway 28 when the bolt 13 has been forcedagainst the tension of the spring 22 to locked position. The lug orblock has projecting from it, and formed preferably integral therewith,a tubular extension 38 in which is secured, in any preferred manner, oneend of a pipe 39, the other end of which projects through the wall ofthe cap 9, and is provided with a flange 40 that operates to prevent theunlawful disconnection of the pipe from the cap. Disposed within thepipe 39 is a smaller pipe 11 in which is arranged the wire cable 23, asclearly shown in Fig. 3. The space 42 between the two pipes is sealed atits inner end by a closure 43, so that no air can pass between the twopipes, but within the tubular extension 38 is provided a channel 44(Fig. 7 that communicates directly with the manifold and with the space42, the object of this arrangement being that in the event the pipes 39and 41 should be fractured or separated in an attempt to gain unlawfulcontrol of the machine, atmospheric air would pass through the channel44 and mix with the explosive mixture and render the same practicallyworthless. In order to control the rotation of the crank 24, thus tocause it properly to open or close the passageway 28, stop pins 45 areemployed, as shown in Fig. 7, with which the crank will contact at thelimit of its movements, and thus insure correct operation of theshutter. The pipe 39 is preferably flexible, as flexible tubing.

As a means for controlling the sparking apparatus, there is combinedwith the bolt 13 a contact 46 which is designed to engage with a contact47 secured to the inner wall of the cylinder 7. These contacts are inthe primary circuit, the contact 47 being in the nature of a spring, asshown in Fig. 5, which will insure positive contact. The wires from thetwo contacts lead through insulators 48 (Fig. 5) and lead to the motorand batteries in the usual manner.

\Vhcn the locking mechanism is in the position shown in Fig. 3, thevalve or shutter is open or in the position shown in Fig. 6, so thatfree passage of the explosive fluid from the carburetor to the manifoldwill take place, the two contacts 46 and 47 being in touch. Now, shouldthe owner desire to leave the machine, he will grasp the knob 49 of thebolt and force the same inward against the tension of the spring 22, andthe spring 37 will exert a turning movement upon the spindle 25 oftheshutter and cause it to revolve with the inward movement or slack thatoccurs in the cable or cord 23. As soon as the notch 16 of the boltcomes under the latch 17, the bolt will automatically be passage-way 44and enter the manifold, and.

by admixture with the explosive fluid, render the latter inoperative orpractically so.

Instead of employing the form of shutter described, that shown in Fig. 8may be enrployed which consists of a disk 50 that may be disposed withinthe manifold, and to this will be connected one end of the cord or cable23. The only difference between the two valves will be that one is inthe nature of a flap valve and the other of a gate valve. To cause thevalve 50 automatically to close when the bolt is locked, a coiled spring51 is employed which surrounds the cord'and bears at one end. againstthe valve and at its other end against. the inner wall of a coupling 52,by which the valve casing is combined with the carbureter.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that although the meansherein described are simple in character, that they will be thoroughlyefficient for the purposes designed, and will co-act in the presentationof a practical and durable form of manifold valve locking mechanism.

What we claim as new is 1. The combination-with a manifold valve, of-means operable from the front of an automobile" for controlling thevalve, looking mechanism co-acting with the valvecontrolling means forholding thevalve in closed position, and means for admitting atmosphericair to the manifold in the event of breakage of the valve-controllingmeans. 2. The combination with a manifold valve, and means for lockingthe same in closed position, of means for admitting atmospheric airbeyond the point of mixture in the event of breakage of the locking.mechanism.

3. The combination with the of an automobile, of a casing closedat eachend, a lock carried by one end of the casing and projecting through thedash-board, a spring-drawn bolt slidably-mounted within the casing andarranged to be engaged by the look, a plate interposed between thecarbureter and manifold of the engine, a head carried by the plate, apipe connecting with the head and with the casing, a second pipe housedwithin the first-named pipe, means for sealing the space between the twopipes at one end thereof, and a conduit connecting the space between thetwo pipes and the manifold.

4. The, combination with the dash-board dash-board 'ders,connectingmeans between the valve of an automobile, of a casing havingits ends closed and secured to the dash-board, a bolt slidably-arrangedwithin the casing and projecting beyond the dash-board, a permutationlock secured to one end of the casing and projecting beyond thedashboard and arranged to engage with the lock, a retracting springconnecting the bolt and the look, a plate interposed betweenthecarbureter and manifold of the engine, a valve arranged in the plate,pipes connecting the plate and the casing, and a flexible connectionbetween the bolt and the valve.

5. The combination with the dash-board of an automobile, of a casinghaving its ends closed. and secured to the dash-board, a boltslidably-arranged within the casing and projecting beyond thedash-board, a permutation lock secured'to one end of the casing andprojecting beyond the dash-board and arranged to engage with the lock, aretracting spring connecting the bolt and the lock, a plate interposedbetween the carbureter and manifold of the engine, a valve arranged inthe plate, pipes connecting the plate and the casing, a flexibleconnection between the bolt and the valve, and a spring co-acting withthe valve and operating to close the valve when the bolt is moved tolocked position. v v

6.'The combination with the manifold and carbureter of an internalcombustion engine, of a plate secured between the parts and providedwith an opening, a valve arranged within the opening, a crank connectedto one end of the valve, a crank carried by a projecting portion of thevalve,'a casing secured to the dash-board of the automobile, aspring-retracted bolt'slidably arranged within the casing, locking meanscoacting with the bolt, a pipe connecting the casing and the plate, aflexible connection between the bolt and the crank, and a springco-acting with the valve and operating to cause the same to open whenthe locking mechanism is released and to close the valve when the boltis locked against movement.

7. In combination with the dash-board of an automobile,-a casing carriedthereby,'a permutation lock within the casing," a spring retracted boltwithin the casing and projecting through the dash-board adapted to beengaged by said look, a controlling valve between the carbureter andengine cylinand bolt, and a cover for said connecting means.

8. In combination with the dash-board of an automobile, a casing carriedthereby, a lock arranged within thecasing and rojecting through thedash-board, a springretracted bolt slid'ably mounted within the casingand adapted to be engaged by said lock to prevent movement thereof, aplate interposed between'the carbureter and Cyl- 130 inders of theengine, a valve arranged in the late, and a flexible connection betweenthe bolt and valve.

9. The combination with the dash-board of an automobile, of a casingsecured thereto and having a removable outer end wall, a valve arrangedbetween the carbureter and cylinders of the engine, a spring-retractedsliding bolt within the casing, a connecting cord between the bolt andvalve, means for holding the bolt forward against the tension of thespring, and means carried by the removable end wall adapted to receivethe end of the bolt to prevent rotary movement of the same.

10. The combination with the dash-board of an automobile, of a casingcarried thereby, a spring-drawn slidin bolt within the casing, a valvefor contro ling the feeding of fuel to the engine, a flexible connectionbetween the bolt and valve, electric circuit make and break devicescarried by the bolt JOHN H. DUGAN. MILTON N. SMITH.

Witnesses:

L. B. STAHL, S. D. FUL'IR.

